SALARY: $4621 - $5898/mo. (Student Driver Rate: $24.23/hr.)

FILING DEADLINE: December 4, 2024 (visit fresno.gov/jobs for further information)

POSITION DESCRIPTION

This is a unique opportunity to join a department which takes pride in serving the greater Fresno Metropolitan Area with high quality transit service consisting of a modern fleet of over 100 buses and a dedicated team of customer service focused transit professionals.  Fresno Area Express is operated by the City of Fresno as a public transportation service to all citizens and visitors of Fresno.

Bus Drivers are responsible for the operation of passenger coaches on assigned and special routes.  Incumbents provide information to passengers concerning schedules, routes, and transfers, perform pre and post vehicle operation checks, and complete various daily operation reports.

A new employee begins training as a "Student Driver".  A "Student Driver" is a new operator who must be trained and instructed on all lines and bus equipment until qualified to perform all the duties of a regular bus driver.  A "Student Driver" is classified as a trainee employee and will earn $24.23/hr. (per Fresno Salary Resolution Exhibit 6) until the completion of the training program, normally eight weeks.  Upon successful completion of all training requirements, Student Drivers are transitioned into the Bus Driver classification and are paid $26.65/hr.-$34.02/hr.  Incumbents may be required to work any shift and may be required to work holidays and weekends.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

-Operates passenger coach on an assigned route to meet a designated schedule; picks-up and discharges passengers at regular stops; checks for proper fare; issues and receives transfers; counts riders; assists passengers when needed.

-Provides information to the public concerning routes, schedules, and transfer points; reports and accounts for lost articles; completes various reports, such as daily operation and accident reports.

-Performs preoperational checks of coaches including damage or defects in body, tires, lights, mirrors, instruments, brakes, and other equipment for rider and driver safety and
convenience: reports all defects or deficiencies found during such checks.

-Monitor passenger behavior and contact appropriate personnel as necessary concerning transportation problems and concerns in a reasonable, timely manner to provide high quality services to passengers.

-Operates passenger coaches on special routes.

-Assist passengers with special needs; load and secure wheelchairs and related medical equipment to meet the needs of the passengers.

-May instruct new drivers in the operation of passenger coaches in accordance with safety regulations and established procedures and schedules.

-Performs assigned duties with a pleasant and congenial personality.

-Performs related duties as required.

Full job specification available to be viewed at:

https://www.fresno.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/JS-Bus-Driver.pdf

Immediate and future vacancies will be filled from this eligible list for a period of three (3) months from the date the eligible list is created, with the option of extending that period at the City's discretion. If the examination process is suspended for this recruitment, the eligible list may be limited to three (3) months.

 

 

THE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the posted filing deadline in order to qualify for the examination and does not assure a place on the eligibility list:

A High School Diploma or equivalent GED completion.

-AND-

Two (2) years of work experience involving direct public contact similar to that gained in retail sales, public service setting or closely related field.

-AND-

Three (3) years of licensed experience in the operation of motor vehicles.

A CURRENT (issued within the past 30 days) COPY OF YOUR COMPLETE DRIVING RECORD FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES MUST BE UPLOADED TO YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION AT TIME OF APPLICATION.

THIS REPORT MUST BE ISSUED NO LATER THAN ONE MONTH PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION AND WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED IF CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES IT IS AN OFFICIAL DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES DOCUMENT.

THIS REPORT MUST CONTAIN YOUR COMPLETE DRIVING RECORD.  (DMV CHARGES A FEE, THE CITY OF FRESNO WILL NOT REIMBURSE THE COST OF THIS PRINTOUT.)

APPLICANTS LACKING THE DMV PRINTOUT ATTACHMENT AT TIME OF APPLICATION WILL BE REJECTED. DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION UNTIL YOUR DMV PRINTOUT IS ATTACHED TO YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION.

Paper copies, emails, online, nor faxed DMV Driving Records will not be accepted.  Printed copies must be scanned and converted to a pdf document to upload to your online application.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO ATTACH COPY OF YOUR COMPLETE DMV DRIVING RECORD TO YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION:

a) Scan or take a photo of your DMV Driving Record and save to your computer (save as DMV Record).

b) Go to www.fresno.gov/jobs > City of Fresno Jobs > Apply On-Line> Enter Login Information> choose “My Career Tools” (located at the top of the page).
c) Choose “Cover Letters and Attachments” Select “Add Attachments”.
d) For Attachment Type: choose “DMV Driving Record”, then select “Add Attachment” link.

e) Select the Browse button, you will then find the saved DMV Record from your computer.  Select “Upload”.

f) Click “Save” and “Return”.

NOTE: The City of Fresno does not reimburse the cost of obtaining DMV Driving Record.  Candidates will also be expected to produce updated DMV Driving Records at time of Transportation Department interview and those hired, shall produce a third updated copy of DMV Driving Record immediately prior to commencing the "Student Driver" training.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's license at time of application.

1. Must be able to obtain a Class B license, with required certificates and endorsements by the end of the training period (approximately eight weeks).
2. Must maintain the valid Class B Driver's License for the entire term of employment in this class.
3. Must obtain a commercial instruction permit by the end of the second week of the initial training period. Failure to obtain permit shall be cause for termination.

DMV RECORD VERIFICATION:  DMV driving records shall be reviewed at time of application.  To qualify for the written examination, a qualified applicant DMV driving record must NOT indicate the following:

• In the last three (3) years - No Suspension, Revocation or Probation of a Driver’s license by DMV.
• In the last three (3) years – No conviction under the following California Vehicle Code sections:  15302-VC, 15304-VC, 13353-VC, 14601-VC, 20001-VC, 20002-VC, 23140-VC, 23103-VC through 23104-VC, 23152-VC through 23153-VC and 40508-VC.
• Regardless of when - Applicants having more than one violation, in separate incidents, of any of the above, may not qualify for the written examination.  For additional information about the listed vehicle code violations, please visit https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/dmv-safety-guidelines-actions/negligence/.

ADDITIONAL REQUIRMENTS

Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's license. Candidates considered for hire must provide proof of a valid driver’s license and current copy of their driving record.

Eligibles referred for hiring consideration must successfully complete a medical examination, background investigation (fingerprints included), and drug screening as part of the pre-employment process.

This position is designated as being Safety Sensitive and requires all eligibles offered employment to successfully pass a drug test prior to employment.  Federal law requires that applicants for positions involving the operation of certain transit vehicles, revenue services vehicles, the transportation of hazardous materials or heavy equipment over 26,001 pounds requiring a commercial driver's license, must undergo pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment and be subject to random alcohol and drug testing throughout their employment in this position.

Please complete the “Primary & Highest Education” sections and your driver’s license information under the Licenses and Certifications section of the online application. Applicants must complete and answer the supplemental questions.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

The examination process may consist of the following:

Online Examination – 100% A job related written exam will be given which may test a candidate's knowledge in the following areas:  General Safe Driving Practices, Reading Comprehension, Interpretation of Rules, Map Reading, Proofreading, English Usage, Spelling, Interpersonal Relations.

A candidate must achieve a passing score in the online examination to secure placement on the eligible list.

The online examination is scheduled for the week of January 6th 2025.

 

HOW TO APPLY

APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE AN ON-LINE APPLICATION.  PLEASE VISIT www.fresno.gov/jobs. TO APPLY.  For information on how to complete an on-line application, please view "Instruction Guide" on the City's website, Personnel Services Career Opportunities page, or call (559) 621-6950 for assistance.  Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed employment application.

ALL CORRESPONDENCE regarding this recruitment and exam process will be sent via e-mail.  All applicants will acknowledge such understanding when they complete their on-line application.  Verify we have your correct e-mail address before you submit your application. It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email frequently to ensure they receive all pertinent communication from the Personnel Services Department on a timely basis.  Applicants will receive an automatically generated confirmation e-mail upon a successful application submittal. The e-mail is the only proof of submittal.

It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email account and to ensure it is set up to accept emails from the City of Fresno.  Dependent upon your settings, notices from the City of Fresno may be directed to the "junk mail" or "spam" folders.  It is the applicant's responsibility to check these folders as well.

Applications must be submitted by midnight on the filing deadline, or they will not be accepted for any reason. FOR THIS RECRUITMENT, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PERMANENT FRESNO CITY EMPLOYEES APPLY THROUGH PEOPLESOFT SELF SERVICE.

BENEFITS: UNIT 6 Classification- Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1027 (ATU)

HEALTH INSURANCE: The City contributes toward monthly premiums for PPO medical, dental and vision for employee and dependents.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT: IRS 125 plan for health and dependent care expenses.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary 457 plan with Fidelity Investments to increase your retirement savings.

VACATION*: Accrue (8-14) hours per month.

SICK LEAVE*: Accrue eight (8) hours per month.

HOLIDAYS*: Eleven (11) annual holidays, one (1) floating holiday, and the employee’s birthday.

SHORT-TERM DISABILITY: provided through California SDI program.

HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENT: Eligible retirees can use remaining Sick Leave balance at 80% of hourly rate and other leave balances, if applicable, to reimburse medical insurance and qualified medical expenses, tax free.

BILINGUAL PREMIUM: PAY: $75 per month

FREE BUS PASSES: For bus driver, spouse, and dependent children under age 18.

RETIREMENT: Full-time employees participate in the City of Fresno Retirement System, one of the best funded public systems in the state.  Reciprocity with other CA public agencies. Vested in Retirement benefits after 5 years of service. Part-time employees participate in Social Security.

DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program): an optional, voluntary program that allows an employee to deposit retirement benefits in a special savings account within the Retirement System while continuing to work for the City of Fresno for up to 10 years.  Participation minimum is age 50 and vested.  Benefits includes ownership of accumulated funds, compound interest earnings, and alternative distribution options.

*Part-time employees receive a rate proportionate to a full-time employee.

Additional information regarding the City of Fresno benefits is available at

https://www.fresno.gov/personnel/human-resources-support/#tab-1

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE

Qualified veterans who pass the examination may obtain five (5) additional points.
Candidates applying for veteran's preference are required to submit a copy of their DD214 with their application during the specified filing period.  Evidence must be presented to indicate that the candidate was discharged honorably from the military service.  Veterans, including City employees, must resubmit proof of honorable service for every examination for which veteran's preference credit is requested.

 

EOE

The City of Fresno is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Should you need a special accommodation due to a qualifying disability, please contact the Personnel Service Department at (559) 621-6950 in advance of the examination.